, 1887-06-16

nStlc over tne uTlli, unu Wlieh pHo '"' 80
troops was made was not yet 81 years oi
age. | ran away from home and joined the
regiment which Ellsworth organized in New
York. We found Washington filled with
soldiers when we arrived, and we were quar-
tered at first In the Capitol. We slept upon
henches and Ellsworth had number OF
baking ovens made in the vaults for the cook
ing of the food for the soldiers. 1t was found
impossible, however, to enforce discipline III
Washington, and Ellsworth moved us out
near the insane asylum. From thence we
marched to Giessboro Point, and we were
here stationed at the time we were ordered to
Alexandria
"What kind OF looking man was Ellis
worth"
"He was a fine looking fellow, though under
medium height. He was about five feet five
inches, ard his weight was about $50 pounds.
Ills eyes were n dark and penetrating hazel.
His hair was a tiihe long and black. He was
very erect in his bearing, quick in his move
ments, and he had highly nervous organi-
zation. He was rather austere in manner
and was not what you might call hail fellow
well met man. His voice was clear and
wonderfully musical, aud he never appeared
anything else than dignihed. He was engaged
to I've married at the time of his death, and |
understand that Iiis lady love has since mar
ried have read his diary, AND his short life
was a model of virtue and temperance. He
was man of extraordinary abilities and of
extraordinary virtues, and | doubt whether
the world will ever appreciate the greatness
which he possessed
"Was he anxious for a battle at Alcx-
andrialn
mo, he was not. lie was chosen by Presi-
dent Lincoln on account of his prudence. The
DrpSilaut lpSirpI N avoid al lx.iol ap1 no
wanted the Confederate soldiers driven out of
Alexandria without bloodshed If possible.
Ellsworth thoroughly understood this, He
promised Lincoln he would be responsible for
his command, and before they left lie made n
speech TO his men. In this he told us of the
Importance of discipline, and said lie had
pledged his honor that we would act like men.
He had claimed it as our right to lead the
army into the enemy's country, as we were
the first to answer the call and the first volun-
teers sworn in for the war; This right had
been granted, and he concluded his address
by urging upon us the importance of the
utmost circumspection, for the army which
comes after said he, will be judged by YOU
we are to Kill nobody except by kindness.
Not shot is TO be fired except by orders
"Hc then left the regiment and wrote n let
ter to his mother and father, a COPY of which
NN''' S''N JOu' 'io iCtbtl lttitlss
"'WAsHISGToN, ID. C., May %, 1851
my DEAR PARENTs The regiment il or.
dered to cross the river tonight We have no
means of knowing what reception we will
meet with. although am of the opinion that
our entrance to the city of Alexandria will
be hotly contested, as am just informed
that large body OF troops arrived there to.
DAY. Should this happen, my dear parents,
IL may be my lot to be injured in some man.
her' whatever may happen, cherish the
consolation that l was engaged in the per.
romance OF sacred duty, and tonight,
thinking of the probabilities of tomorrow
and the occurrences of the past, am perfect.
ly content to accept whatever my fortune
may be, confident that He who noted the
fall OF sparrow will have some purpose
even in the fate OF one like me.
my darling and ever loved parents, good.
ny! God bless, protect and care for you'll
"'ELMER'"
BY this time the ferry boat had reached
Alexanu.. and, with Capt. Brownell,
went over the route from where the boat
landed to the Marshall house. "Here,r said
the captain, standing in front of dingy
warehouse, "was where we landed. Just be-
fore we reached Alexandria a small boat
shot out from the shadow OF the gun boat
Pawnee and we came up to the wharf at the
same time. This boat contained an officer
bearing white flag. He talked moment
with Col. Ellsworth, and was informed that
the town had either surrendered or had been
placed under flag OF truce, and that the
Confederates had been given time to leave
the city Some troops had been sent from
Washington to Alexandria by land, and we
were at this time the only troops here While
the regiment were disembarking, a squad OF
US, i'll company with Col. Ellsworth, started
up the street. We passed the Braddock house
on the way, and our destination was the tele-
graph office. The city was as dead and as
silent as the grave There was not face TO
be seen, and not window or a door open.
After going two squares we turned TO the
left down Royal street to King, and here we
came in full view OF the Marshall house. ON
which Confederate flag, about nine by
twelve feet in size, was hutterng in the
breeze. Ellsworth noticed the flag as we
turned the corner. He told sergeant to 40
back and tell Capt. Coyle to hurry his com.
pany to this spot. The Marshall house was
an old fashioned tavern with two old fash
ioned dormer windows poking their heads
out through the roof. There was a wide
double entrance In its front, and wide doors of
glass led into the Office. We had passed the
house, and ! supposed Col. Ellsworth WINS
Scihh W ASo'V Supo' Wy Sic W lake care OF tine
flag. He changed his mind, however. and
suddenly turned and crossed the street TO the
Marshall house. think he remembered his
promise to the president to act with as much
moderation as possible, and he feared that tho
sight OF that flag on whole company would
so infame the men that the captain would NOT
be able to control them. Atany rate he went
into the house and we followed him. There
was only one person visible in the office. and
he stood behind the counter. ELLSWORTH
asked him for the proprietor The man ~.
piled in surly manner that he was NOT
about. He then went into the hall ond
started up the stairway to the attic. Nobody
tried To stop us, and there was nobody to h,
seen. When we reached the attic Ellsworth
mounted a step ladder leading to the roof He
pulled down the flag and we started down The
ladder The staircase was an old fasbioued
zig2as stairway, broken with landings he
tween each story"
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